HEALTH AND WELLBEING: JOHN APPLETON
I have been writing articles on topics related to our health for a number of years and in Channel I keep you up to date on ways in which we might improve our health by becoming more aware of the many options that are available to us. John Appleton.
D-Ribose – Is it the sugar of life? As I see it - by John Appleton
For many people this may have been the first time they have heard of D-Ribose. I have however been using it daily for many years, primarily to limit the possibility of a cellular energy crisis during exercise and to assist with recovery afterwards. So what is D-Ribose (chemical name – alphaD-ribofuranose)? It’s a simple 5-carbon sugar (glucose is a 6-carbon sugar) that is found in every cell in the human body. D-Ribose is a vital nutrient with a very significant role to play. Unlike sugars such as glucose which are metabolised to contribute to energy turnover, D-Ribose is not ‘burned’ for energy but is conserved by the cell for rebuilding the energy pool. It’s the only compound used by the body to manage cellular energy restoration.
When we consume D-Ribose, the body recognizes that it is different from other sugars and preserves it for the vital work of actually making the energy molecule ATP. When we consume D-Ribose, the body recognises that it is different from other sugars and preserves it for the vital work of actually making the energy molecule ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) that powers our hearts, muscles, brains, and every other tissue in the body. ATP is the energy ‘currency’ of the cell and D-Ribose provides the key building block for ATP. Without sufficient D-Ribose the cell cannot make ATP. D-Ribose is naturally present in foods but only in very small amounts. Red meat is at the top of the list but the amount is insignificant. Dr Stephen Sinatra in his book ‘Metabolic Cardiology’ says “The dietary intake of D-Ribose is insufficient to provide any nutritional support, especially to those people suffering heart disease, neuromuscular disease and those hoping to recover quickly after exercise."
Although the first research on D-Ribose in humans goes back to 1958, D-Ribose was first developed as a dietary supplement in 1997 by Bioenergy Inc in the U.S. and since then many studies have investigated this amazing yet simple ‘sugar’. Much of the research has focused on the use of D-Ribose in association with heart disease and its use pre- and postexercise. Results have indeed been exciting and it really is hard to believe that D-Ribose hasn’t been headline news. When there is a totally safe option that shows remarkable benefits we need to know about it. In 1973 that German researchers reported that energy-starved hearts could recover their energy levels if D-Ribose was given prior to or immediately following ischemia (reduced blood flow causing oxygen deprivation). In 1992 a study published in 'The Lancet' showed that administration of D-Ribose to patients with severe stable coronary artery disease increased exercise tolerance and delayed the onset of angina. In 2003 the University of Bonn in Germany published the results of a heart failure study which showed that administration of D-Ribose improved the performance of the heart, increased exercise tolerance and significantly improved quality of life. As to who should consider supplementing with D-Ribose, it would be on my list for any condition where my cells might be energy starved e.g. heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and any form of exercise. D-Ribose comes as a powder which dissolves instantly in water and it makes a very pleasant drink. Research shows that D-Ribose is very rapidly absorbed and approx 97% ‘gets through’. I take five grams daily (as a ‘sports’ drink). Even at high doses it’s a very safe supplement but because it can lower blood glucose levels, diabetics should talk with their doctor first. Cardiologists Drs Stephen Sinatra and James Roberts sum it up by saying, “We can’t overstate the effect of D-Ribose supplementation on maintaining energy levels. Any tissue that relies heavily on aerobic energy metabolism, such as the heart and muscles, will be severely affected by any amount of oxygen deprivation. The problem is ATP drain. The solution is to give it back” Is D-Ribose the Sugar of Life? As I see it D-Ribose more than qualifies for this title. John Appleton john@johnappleton.co.nz 09 489 9362 www.johnappleton.co.nz
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 118 - April 2021
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